September 23, 200818 yr Author ^Obama has been polling really well in Virginia as of late - he's outside the margin of error in two polls. Colorado and Nevada are very tight with McCain holding slight leads there.
September 23, 200818 yr I know Bush won them in 2000 and 04, I was merely pointing out that not too long ago those states seemed to be starting to lean towards Obama, and now McCain is either dead even or leading in them. The more and more I look at the map, the more worried I am that we are going to have a tie. Based on CNN's projections, assuming all the leaning states go towards their respective candidate, Obama is up 223 to 200 with 9 states up for grabs. I see McCain winning Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Colorado with Obama taking Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Nevada. The result? 269-269 Why are you worried if there is a tie? The Constitution provides for that process does it not?
September 23, 200818 yr As of Monday 9.22 if you include "leaners" Obama barely leads the electoral votes by about 8 votes according to Rasmussen. In other words, its going to the wire.
September 23, 200818 yr So, if this race is really going to be close, when do you think we'll have a president?
September 23, 200818 yr Where is RTS? I can't wait to hear his comments on this.Been in Gatlinburg. Only comments I have on the polls is they will likely go back and forth from now until November. Nothing earth shattering here. I recall Kerry leading in the polls against Bush.
September 23, 200818 yr Why are you worried if there is a tie? The Constitution provides for that process does it not? Aren't there a couple of states that are permitted to split their electoral votes in the event of a tie?
September 23, 200818 yr Aren't there a couple of states that are permitted to split their electoral votes in the event of a tie? I think someone mentioned that on here but I've never done the digging to check it out. I think Constitutionally speaking the vote is thrown into the House of Representatives then. My point (subtle and not acknowledged) was that there's no reason to fear a tie. The processes are in place just like they where in 2000. It may take legal actions and rulings but it all works out. It might leave a bitter taste to the losing side but that's politics in America. We survived nail biting elections in 2000, 1960, and a few in the 19th century that included back room deals to end Reconstruction. I'd be more afraid of the economics in this country creating chaos and rebellion before I would the political process.
September 23, 200818 yr Why are you worried if there is a tie? The Constitution provides for that process does it not? Because as I've been told, the House of Representatives then gets the deciding vote and they are controlled by the Dems....
September 23, 200818 yr Aren't there a couple of states that are permitted to split their electoral votes in the event of a tie? No, not quite like that. Maine and Nebraska have a system of awarding Electoral votes that is not "Winner take all" like the other 48 states. Okay class, lets take Nebraska for example: Looking at the map, we see that Nebraska has three distinct Congressional districts. The number of electoral votes that all states have is the total number of thier Representatives(3 for Nebraska) plus Senators(2). Here is how Nebraska's 5 electoral votes will be decided in November: The winner of the popular vote ONLY in District 1 will recive 1 Electoral vote. Same for District 2 and 3. They will count up the popular vote in only those districts. Whomever wins the popular vote statewide will recive the remaing 2 Electoral votes. They will do this tie or not. Remember, this will be on the test nex week.
September 23, 200818 yr Because as I've been told, the House of Representatives then gets the deciding vote and they are controlled by the Dems.... Partially right. Yes, the House of Representatives would choose by vote, the President of the United States if there was a tie...BUT... It is not simply an "everyone" gets to vote process. Each state only gets one vote, so the fact that there are more Democrats by simple number, does not neccessarily mean that they would have enough votes(26 out of 50 states) to choose the President...another BUT... With the current makeup of Congress(that's who would get to vote. The Representatives elected on Nov. 4th don't start thier term until Jan. 3 2009) The Democrats actually control enough states if everyone voted party line(I would expect that) to garner 28 votes I belive. So for all tie scenarios, the edge goes to Barak Obama in the election of 2008. Once again, expect this on the test next week!
September 23, 200818 yr Because as I've been told, the House of Representatives then gets the deciding vote and they are controlled by the Dems.... And the Supreme Court was controlled by Judges who were nominated by Republican Presidents in 2000. The country didn't split and democracy survived. The system worked in 2000 and it would again in 2008. You see I put my faith in the Republic and the Constitution more than political parties and presidential candidates. If my guy doesn't win, so be it.
September 23, 200818 yr And the Supreme Court was controlled by Judges who were nominated by Republican Presidents in 2000. The country didn't split and democracy survived. The system worked in 2000 and it would again in 2008. You see I put my faith in the Republic and the Constitution more than political parties and presidential candidates. If my guy doesn't win, so be it. I wouldn't complain or anthing like that because that's the way it's supposed to be decided in case of a tie. I just am really worried about our country if Obama wins. I know you and many others probably won't agree with me on that, but it's my belief that an Obama win will be a disaster for our country.
September 23, 200818 yr Partially right. Yes, the House of Representatives would choose by vote, the President of the United States if there was a tie...BUT... It is not simply an "everyone" gets to vote process. Each state only gets one vote, so the fact that there are more Democrats by simple number, does not neccessarily mean that they would have enough votes(26 out of 50 states) to choose the President...another BUT... With the current makeup of Congress(that's who would get to vote. The Representatives elected on Nov. 4th don't start thier term until Jan. 3 2009) The Democrats actually control enough states if everyone voted party line(I would expect that) to garner 28 votes I belive. So for all tie scenarios, the edge goes to Barak Obama in the election of 2008. Once again, expect this on the test next week! But who breaks the tie is up for debate: http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/sep/23/an-electoral-college-doomsday/
September 23, 200818 yr But who breaks the tie is up for debate: http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/sep/23/an-electoral-college-doomsday/ http://www.CovercornersConstitutionalFactCheck.org (not a real website-yet) has issue with this article. Absurd? Possibly, and there is not complete agreement among constitutional experts on whether a newly elected Congress or the currently sitting House and Senate would make the decision. According to the 12th Amendment, if there is a tie in the Electoral College, the House of Representatives, "...shall coose immediatley, by ballot, the President." This is on the day the Electoral College meets, Dec. 12th. The 12th Amendment goes on to say if the House cannot choose(or tie) by March 4th(changed to Jan 3rd by 20th Amendment), the Vice President will act as President. The Senate will then choose the new Vice President from those on the ballot(Biden or Palin). The Senate has no input or vote on the Presidency, in the way written by this article. We could assume if this scenario happens, that the President will be Dick Cheyney, and his Vice President will be Joe Biden. According to this Article: the Democrat-controlled House picks Sen. Barack Obama as president, but the Senate, with former Democrat Joe Lieberman voting with Republicans, deadlocks at 50-50, so Vice President Dick Cheney steps in to break the tie to make Republican Sarah Palin his successor. we have an impossible statement. If the house picks Obama, it is decided. The Senate cannot pick the President in any way.
September 24, 200818 yr I wouldn't complain or anthing like that because that's the way it's supposed to be decided in case of a tie. I just am really worried about our country if Obama wins. I know you and many others probably won't agree with me on that, but it's my belief that an Obama win will be a disaster for our country. Amen to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a scary thought!:scared:
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